UFC 170: Predicting Winners of Fight Night Bonuses

The new UFC Fight Night bonus structure is going to take a little getting used to. For those who aren't aware, there are no more KO of the Night and Submission of the Night bonuses.

They have been replaced by more generic Performance of the Night bonuses.

Looking ahead to UFC 170, one candidate has an opportunity to cash in monetarily and from more notoriety. Sara McMann has a chance to have a huge night.

Here's the smartest prediction for Performance of the Night.

Performance of the Night 1

If you read my preview of the card, I've gone out on a limb and predicted McMann will upset Ronda Rousey. McMann's wrestling background as an Olympic silver medalist makes her the first fighter who is capable of preventing Rousey from taking her down.

BELA SZANDELSZKY/Associated Press

That's the first step toward achieving the monumental upset.

McMann's strength and sturdiness will present Rousey with a challenge she's never faced before. Even though McMann won't stop Rousey, she'll beat her up and win a decision.

Knocking off Rousey is good enough for Performance of the Night no matter how it comes.

Performance of the Night 2

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Daniel Cormier is matched with an inexperienced and overmatched replacement opponent named Patrick Cummins. As you can see from his tweet below, he was working in a coffee shop before he got the call to face Cormier.

It's an awesome story, but Cormier is too skilled and experienced to fall asleep against the underdog.

He's going to show the full complement of skills and score the rare submission victory as a way to show off.

Fight of the Night

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Rousey vs. McMann is the choice here. Rousey is coming off a Fight of the Night performance against Miesha Tate. Both of her fights in the UFC have been thrilling affairs.

This one should be no different. Rousey's competitiveness won't allow her to give up, even though McMann will be a handful. Best UFC Odds seems to agree:

An Olympic medalist in wrestling, McMann will present a new challenge for Rousey - who has outclassed all of her opponents on the mat thus far. Expect to see a side of Rousey we have never seen before as she will look to display her vastly improved striking skills.

McMann's skills will push Rousey, and the result will be the best fight of the night.